Pirate Chronicles

Jacob narrowed his eyes. "She's NOT your betrothed. She's mine. You do not have any right to her," he stressed.

Eric laughed mockingly, "You're her betrothed? Since when?"

"Lord Richard gave us his blessing," Jacob replied.

Eric sneered. "Lord Richard is dead. Whatever he said is null and void. I will get Editha back," he responded. "I will not lose to you!"

"Over my dead body!" Jacob answered.

"That can be arranged! I will kill you today!" Eric declared.

"Such a lousy threat. You're the one who's outnumbered this time," Jacob said and signalled. One shot was fired and one of the five men dropped dead. I looked in the direction of where the shot came from and I was not mistaken. Lowen was in position to snipe.

However, it did not surprise Eric one bit. Instead, he laughed, "Me? Outnumbered? You keep on underestimating me! For your information, by now, all Beckforth troops that are in Lucena are almost here. I already gave them a signal," he said and motioned at the black smoke that continued to go up the sky.

"Francuan troops won't allow them to come!" I interrupted.

Eric smiled at me, "Really, my dear? Your Francuan troops are the one that's outnumbered. Did you know that the Eastern Port is the only one that has not succumbed to my forces yet?"

I clenched my fist, "The Alliance is coming! Reinforcements will come to help our troops and when they do, it will be easy to drive your forces off our territory."

Eric laughed again, "Keep hoping, my dear. But, I don't think it will still happen. You really think I would not know about the Alliance? I had Liberia's fleet waiting for them in ambush." He looked mockingly at Jacob, "Remember Liberia? The alliance I secured because of Yazmine's marriage to their prince?"

After Prince Eric said that, I heard horses hooves and footsteps running. I looked in the direction of that invading sound and I whimpered as I saw Beckforth troops coming. I looked at my personnels.

"Run! You have to run away from here!" I told them. I never want to see any of them as casualties to this war.

"Miss, you have to come with us," one of my maids insisted.

I shook my head. "GO!!!" I told them in response and they finally obeyed after seeing the determination on my face.

Prince Eric smiled as the troops surrounded us in the distance, "See what I mean?"

My pirate comrades walked to where Jacob and I stood, "What's the order, Captain?" Lowen asked.

"Protect Editha at all costs. If this is our last stand, then so be it," Jacob answered.

After he said that, he walked towards Prince Eric as the prince met him. They both drew their swords and swung! I was taken aback at the sound of the first clash. Both of their swords broke into two by the force. They pushed each other and seceded. Both looked at their broken swords and threw them aside at the same time.

Prince Eric unsheathed his other sword and headed for Jacob in a very straightforward attack. I blinked. His movement was too quick for my eye to see. I knew Jacob drew his sword and at the same time tried to hit Eric with the sheath of his other sword. But Eric slowed down at the last minute for me to see him evade Jacob's attack and deliver a swing. The swing made contact with Jacob's back shoulder. I saw how blood splattered and how the blade cut through Jacob's flesh.

"JACOB!!" I screamed.

Upon hearing his name on my lips, Jacob quickly made a retreating jump but Eric read his moves, he did not wait for Jacob to land. He aimed at him with his gun and shot. I heard two shots fired. I covered my eyes with my hands instantaneously. I heard a clunking sound after I did that.

"Is Jacob alright?" I asked.

Sandlot replied, "One shot scraped his left side and the other he deflected with his sword."

"Why is he not winning yet?" I asked without taking my hands over my face.

Lowen answered this time, "The prince moves too fast and he seems to predict the Captain's movements."

"He's faster than Jacob?" I asked.

No one responded to my question so I was forced to take out my hands from my eyes and watch the fight. Jacob was squatting on the ground with his sword jabbed on the soil so he could use it to prevent his falling over. I saw the blood on Jacob and there was none on Eric. 

Eric looked at me and smirked. "I told you I'll kill him and I'll do it slowly so he could have a better taste of death. Then, I'll have you."

I ignored Eric and turned to Jacob. My Jacob gave me an assuring smile before turning his gaze back at Eric. I wanted the fight to be over at once. I could not afford to see Jacob get hurt by Eric again. I could not bear to see one more important person taken away from me. I knew in my heart that Jacob would come triumphant in the end but I am also aware that if something happens to him, I will lose ALL my sanity.

Jacob stood up and took his sword off the ground. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Prince Eric who awaits his movements. "My turn," Jacob uttered and moved.  This time, he attacked with the same straightforward move that Eric did a while ago. 

Eric chuckled and was prepared to block it. But Jacob anticipated his block. He squatted down, changed the hold of his sword and aimed towards Eric's stomach. Jacob swung his sword at lightning speed. Prince Eric was hurled off at the force of the swing.

"Yes!" I heard Puma cheered.

I held my breath. Jacob stood up and watched Prince Eric intently. I could hear Beckforth troops holding up their guns and positioned to shoot. My crew mates positioned themselves as well and drew their guns. I looked at Jacob. Did he win? Did the final member of Beckforth Elite perish? 

However, I felt some of my strength leaving me when I saw Eric move. I could not believe my eyes! He took his sword and used it to help himself stand up. After that, he grinned at Jacob evilly.